Pininfarina H2 Speed

The tracks are set to get more “greener”. I bet your mind has jumped to “electric drive trains”, well, far from it, Mahindra, the Indian manufacturer is entering the supercar market with a hydrogen car. The company acquired the Pininfarina, an Italian design and engineering company behind some of the most awesome supercars in the market for many years. The company is responsible for the design of many Ferraris and Maseratis. However, acquisition by the Indian company seems to have opened a new door for the company. Rather than design for Maserati and Ferrari, the company is set to manufacture and sell its own hyper car starting with this new model dubbed “ Pininfarina H2 Speed ”.

The company had earlier showcased the H2 Speed concept at the Geneva Motor show. The designers of the model have managed to achieve a good blend of performance and sportiness: what’s more, it has 0% emissions. The model becomes the world’s first hydrogen-powered track-focused supercar. Despite the model’s performance-orientation, the automaker is quick to point out that the model is half competition prototype and half production supercar. Read along to learn more about the world’s first hydrogen-powered supercar:

Pininfarina H2 Speed Exterior

The model looks very stylish; its exterior is mostly made with carbon-fiber. The model is also based on a carbon-fiber chassis which is even visible through the side panel air vents. The vents also reveal the model’s two huge hydrogen tanks one on each side. The front features two gigantic radiators which convey cooling air to the fuel cell block. There are also two unique L-shaped wings at the front to direct airflow and improve the car’s aerodynamics as well as support its slim LED headlights.

The car stretches 15.4 ft long and 6.5 feet wide with a height of 3.6 inches. The model weighs 1,420 kg when it is on empty tanks. In fact, the tanks are faired in rather than being fully enclosed which helps keep the car’s weight under check. The tanks are refueled via a window in the rear of the fairing which gives access to the filling cap.

The model’s exterior is finished in a white ‘n’ fluoro color trim which is inspired by a past Pininfarina concept. The model’s excellent network of air ducts helps channel air around and through the belly of the car helping improve its down-force and aerodynamics.

Pininfarina H2 Speed Interior

We did not get close enough to get a good view of the cabin. However, I expect the cabin to be highly customized for racing purposes. The cabin will accommodate a single passenger. Expect a racing seat as well as a racing steering wheel.

Other likely features are telemetry systems to display information on the hydrogen’s drive-train. Its lack of openings on the windows and on the windshield may be an indication that the model will feature an air conditioning system. Being a race car, don’t expect the model to have an array of luxury features.

Drive-train Specs and performance

Powering the Pininfarina H2 Speed is a fuel cell backed by two hydrogen stacks. The fuel cell powers two electric motors which channel power to the rear wheels via a direct drive system. The system does not have a clutch or a gearbox, rather the system is controlled by a torque vectoring software. This drive-train is supplied by “GreenGT”, a Franco-Swiss company that specializes in designing and building sustainable propulsion systems.

The system produces 503 horsepower which helps the model achieve 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph. The tanks which have a capacity of 6.1 kg take only 3 minutes to refill. Despite its poor output compared to supercars in its class and price, the model is the first hydrogen supercar and by far outshines other hydrogen-powered models, the likes of Toyota Mirai, Honda Clarity and Hyundai Tuscon Fuel Cell in the market.

Price and release date

At a power output of a mere 503 horses, the H2 Speed cannot realistically claim to be a supercar. Thus, it beats me how the automaker ended up putting a $2.5 million price tag on the model. In fact, one can find more powerful, fully electric cars in the market for almost a tenth of the H2 Speed price.

Anyway, only 10 models will be produced and the automaker claims that all the models have already sold out.